The Science Of Hangovers
Yes, only the most solemn scientific subjects are covered here at advicegoddess.com.
For the record, Naproxen, which works for me for migraines, works if I'm feeling a bit, oh, "My asshole friends serve cheap wine."
Your cure, if any?
Naproxen has become my favorite go-to OTC pain killer. Previously, I used ibuprofen @ 1000 mg washed down with caffeine for gnarly headaches, or smaller amounts as necessary.
Now, for a hangover, I attack it with water. If I've really gone and done it, and tied one on, I drink as much water as I can stand before passing out, then when I get up to pee like a race horse, I drink as much again, and so on pretty much every half hour.
Granted, I won't get that much sleep, but I also won't feel too much pain, either.
I R A Darth Aggie at June 20, 2014 2:12 PM
I love it, but if I take it in the afternoon beyond, oh, 1 or 2 p.m., it'll keep me awake.
I wonder if Pedialyte helps anyone. It's electrolytes in liquid for babies and I gave it to my little doggie Lucy in her final days, sadly.
Amy Alkon at June 20, 2014 2:24 PM
I didn't know Naproxen is OTC now. I might buy a new bottle. Mine's from 1998!
Amy Alkon at June 20, 2014 2:25 PM
Aleve (naproxen) and Sugar-Free Red Bull.
Insufficient Poison at June 20, 2014 3:58 PM
I've used Imitrex for hangovers, when in a pinch.
I've heard menudo is great for hangovers. I assume it's the chile based broth, but I've never tried it. Also heard red beer.
Mel at June 20, 2014 4:06 PM
Abstinence or moderation is the best cure, I've noticed.
If that didn't work, cannabis was far and away the most wonderful cure for alcohol poisoning (for me anyway).
Jason S. at June 20, 2014 5:00 PM
On those rare occasions I get a hangover I find 500 mg of naproxen washed down with a gatorbull works well.
Parabarbarian at June 20, 2014 5:00 PM
Cheeseburger but take aspirin the night before.
KateC at June 20, 2014 6:43 PM
My preferred is a stop at a 24 hour restaurant for 3 eggs overlight, bacon, hash browns and a couple cups of coffee. Then in the morning bunches of water.
Jim P. at June 20, 2014 6:51 PM
Dry heaves? Anything dairy stops the heaves in their tracks. I know it sounds awful, but it works.
justme at June 20, 2014 6:54 PM
Dry heaves? Anything dairy stops the heaves in their tracks. I know it sounds awful, but it works.
Posted by: justme at June 20, 2014 6:54 PM
The ice cream cure? I love it!
Isab at June 20, 2014 7:07 PM
Also be careful of Tylemol (acetaminophen) and alcohol. It can cause liver damage.
Jim P. at June 20, 2014 9:04 PM
Water - really, any liquid - and lots of it. If you drink it the morning after, it will get rid of your hangover in an hour or two.
But best - by far the best - is to drink lots of water the evening before. While drinking, and more before you go to bed. Then you won't have a hangover in the first place.
This applies to hangovers that are headaches. There are also the people who manage to down so much alcohol that they feel like sh*t the next morning because they are still factually drunk. That's a different problem, and the only cure is moderation.
a_random_guy at June 21, 2014 5:22 AM
My new go to is two ibuprofen and a bottle of coconut water before going to sleep. The younger version of me would stop at Jack in the Box for two tacos and a diet coke, that was also a good one, I just can't eat that crap anymore.
sara at June 21, 2014 5:43 AM
Also be careful of Tylemol (acetaminophen) and alcohol. It can cause liver damage.
Posted by: Jim P. at June 20, 2014 9:04 PM
My doctor says Tylenol alone, is the most dangerous non prescription drug in America. An overdose can destroy your liver, with or without alcohol.
Isab at June 21, 2014 6:01 AM
When I was younger, my hangover cure was a LARGE Pepsi in a dark movie theatre. Now, I just drink lots and lots of water, until I feel better. Oh and a dropper full of liquid vitamin B-complex. But I take that most days anyway, hungover or not.
Flynne at June 21, 2014 8:27 AM
I just drink water until it runs right through me before I go to sleep. Have not had a hang-over doing that.
The Former Banker at June 21, 2014 9:53 AM
An ounce of prevention...blah, blah, blah...
Don't drink. That's my preventative measure for hangovers, and it works wonderfully. You may also find that not drinking to excess is also a good measure.
Naproxen? Really? I thought that was an anti-inflammatory. And if it's not OTC, that's not going to help anyone much.
A friend of mine recommends sipping icewater. Since dehydration is one of the factors of hangovers, that makes sense.
Patrick at June 21, 2014 10:19 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/06/20/the_science_of_1.html#comment-4784804">comment from PatrickIt apparently now is OTC, Patrick.
And I BARELY drink, but if I have bad wine, sometimes it gets me.
Amy Alkon at June 21, 2014 1:55 PM
I almost never have hangovers. Evidently I'm a drinking wimp.
Cousin Dave at June 21, 2014 10:04 PM
Pedialyte works for me the night before
LL at June 23, 2014 8:31 PM
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